Hrastnik1860, a member of the Vaider Group, officially launched the entry into operation phase of its hybrid furnace project at its recent sustainability event in Slovenia.
As part of the Vaider Group’s Sustainable Week, Hrastnik1860 hosted a two-day event in Slovenia to commemorate the beginning of the entry into operation phase of its hybrid end-fired regenerative furnace (BEAR) project.
The hybrid furnace will help reduce carbon emissions while maintaining a high glass quality.
The technology reduces natural gas consumption by up to 50% for melting process compared to the best available technologies.
The furnace will also use a higher proportion of electricity for operation, up to 40%, which surpasses the current industry norm of 5-10%.
Over the next decade, the furnace will help to avoid more than 100,000 tonnes of CO2 equivalent emissions.
This reduction is enough to offset the total yearly greenhouse gas emissions of 20,000 households in the Zasavje region, where Hrastnik1860 resides.
Peter Čas, CEO of the Vaider Group, said: “The Vaider Group, with Hrastnik1860 at the helm, wants to create a legacy of outstanding glassmaking that puts sustainable innovation into practice, ensures top quality and protects our planet for the future.
“Our vision is to combine centuries of craftsmanship with the power of state-of-the-art sustainable technologies to redefine the future of glassmaking.”
The BEAR project has an investment value of €3,730,000, 60% of which is financed by the EU Innovation Fund.
The hybrid furnace is designed to align production with the availability of renewable energy sources, making it adaptable to the demands of a sustainable energy future.
It will be integrated into a hybrid energy storage system, coupling it with a locally available photovoltaic (PV) power plants.
This collaboration, a part of the Horizon Europe i-Stentore project, will enable renewable energy sources and glass production to further contribute to achieving the goals of the green transition.
Gorazd Krese, BEAR Project Co-ordinator, said: "Within the Horizon Europe project Citadel, we are already working to increase the boosting share of the hybrid furnace, which will enable even further decarbonisation in 2027.”
In the last three years, Hrastnik1860 has expanded its own PV capacity by 1.5 MWp and transitioned to 100% clean electricity sourcing, reducing indirect GHG emissions.
In the future, the manufacturer is committed to sourcing more renewable energy locally and encourage building energy communities that promote energy independence and resilience.
